Routes up Snowdon

Earlier this month I took a group  (12) from work to the top of Scafell Pike. The group was a real mixture with some of limited experience  and some  with absolutely no experience of walking in the mountains. Indeed half had never been to  the Lakes before. The route we did was from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route returning via Ruddy Gill.

They came away having had a great day and for some of them the ever changing views  had  the ‘wow’ factor.  We were also lucky with the weather!

We all had such a great day that they now want me to organise a walk up Snowdon in September.

I am familiar with routes from Pen y Pass, including the Horseshoe, and also  the Rhyd Ddu path, but only once many years ago.

I have ruled out Crib Goch (probably a step too far)  and the Llanberis path (tedious?).

What route would people recommend for such a group – something which would maintain interest , but without the drama of Crib Goch.  My initial thought is Pyg Track returning over Lliwedd or via Miners Track (dependent upon how the group feel at the summit).

Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks

Ian.

Ian Kirby wrote (see)

 My initial thought is Pyg Track returning over Lliwedd or via Miners Track (dependent upon how the group feel at the summit).

As above!

"My initial thought is Pyg Track returning over Lliwedd or via Miners Track (dependent upon how the group feel at the summit)."

A good choice for your group, but be aware that parking at Pen y Pass is limited and expensive. I don't find the engineered surface of the Pyg track especially pleasant on the way down; I find the Miners track a bit more relaxing for the return.

A nicer variation of the Watkin path, IMHO, is to start up the Watkin but to bear left in Cwm Llan to the col between Yr Aran and Snowdon's south ridge, and then follow the ridge to the summit. The path is marked on the OS 50000 map and is good on the ground and is not engineered once you leave the Watkin. If you come back down the same way there are nice pools to swim in on a warm day.

I expect you have thought of this, but if you are leading a group of mixed experience do make sure they all bring weatherproof clothing etc.. Last time I was in a group that set out to climb a mountain we had to turn back because one lad didn't have a waterproof.

At the risk of sounding like an echo, when I read your post I immediately thought the same.

Start from Pen-Y-Pass, go up the Pyg, dart past the 'Piccadilly Circus' at the summit then walk back in splendid solitude along Yr Lliwed (or however it's spelled) and down to the lake (Llydaw?) before finishing off with an easy walk out on the level.

It's a cracking walk (especially when the views are unobscured) and if your group had no difficulty with Seathewaite-Corridor-Scafell pike-Grains Gill then they should be fine with it. The only tiny drawbacks are there's a bit of scree soon after you start down from the summit and the car park costs a tenner per vehicle now (and it's usually full up well before 8am in summer).

Many, many thanks for the prompt replies.

I did consider the Watkin Path, but that 300m final push would be a killer. The variation though is worth a look (thanks TheAdrian).

I am also conscious of the car park at Pen y Pass and its limitations.  Didn't realise it was a tenner though.

We don't go till September, but will let you know how we get on (weather permitting).

Thanks

Ian

Being one that likes "not to conform" and hates crowd, my one and only experience of the Pyg was that it was a PIG.

Not because of the path or route etc. But sheer volume of people. 

Milly, John and myself did it back in April. Milly's last trip was a number of years ago, and I always opted for the other routes.  Both of us wont be returning to the PYG. It was noted that I was quite impatient

It wasnt a particularly good day - cool and high winds so no real reason

I still like the South Ridge. Ok, it is longer, but possibly one of the quieter main routes.

Yes Scafell may have been busy, but if the Pyg is anything like it was then it will possibly change peoples views.

If you time your climb carefully you can get to the top a little before sunset and come down in the moonlight. Sunrise might be nice too, but I wouldn't know because I am never up that early.

The last time I went up Snowdon we parked at Snowdon Ranger car park and took the train to Rhyd Ddu. Up the Rhyd Ddu path to the top, nice views on the way. Then come back down the Snowdon Ranger path to the car/s. You get a train ride thrown into a nice day out, contributing even more to the local economy, along with the car park fee which was very reasonable.

Worked well for us except that in early August it p**sed down all day and we couldn't see a damn thing at the top!